1. FC Köln recorded their second win of pre-season thanks to a convincing 3:1 victory against Leicester City. Sebastian Sebulonsen opened the scoring after five minutes, with Luca Waldschmidt doubling the advantage 12 minutes later.
Leicester grabbed a goal back in the 43rd minute thanks to Kasey McAteer, though it was FC who had the final say. Florian Kainz’s spot-kick was saved but he hammered home the rebound to make it 3:1.
Ahead at the break
FC got off to the perfect start in Graz. A lovely move from the left saw Lukas Kwasniok’s side combine brilliantly before Jakub Kamiński was afforded the time and space to pick out the run of Sebastian Sebulonsen. He cut across and through the Leicester backline and was able to slide the ball past the oncoming Jakub Stolarczyk.
Stolarczyk had to make a stunning save to deny FC a second moments later, with roles reversed as Sebulonsen crossed for Kamiński to bring the best out of his fellow countryman. However, that joy didn’t last long. Ísak Jóhannesson found Luca Waldschmidt on the edge of the area, turning and firing brilliantly into the bottom corner.
Leicester reduced the deficit just before half-time. After James Justin was brilliantly denied by Marvin Schwäbe and young talent Jeremy Monga draw another save from the FC stopper, McAteer left him with no chance. After Louis Page’s initial effort was blocked, McAteer latched onto the loose ball and found the top corner from 20 yards.
Kainz has the final say
The second-half produced less in the way of clear-cut chances and goals but the FC fans in Graz were able to welcome a completely new side onto the pitch, aside from Joël Schmied. He featured for the entire 90 minutes.
With just a few minutes left on the clock, Denis Huseinbašić was scythed down inside the penalty area. Florian Kainz stepped up and saw his spotkick saved by Stolarczyk, only to force home the rebound to seal a deserved 3:1 win for FC.
The game brings an end to the training camp in Austria, with the team flying back on Saturday. Lukas Kwasniok’s side are next in action against Siegburger SV on Wednesday 30th July. Kick-off at the Walter-Mundorf-Stadion is at 18:00 CEST.
Line-ups
1. FC Köln first-half (3-4-2-1): Schwäbe – Schmied, Hübers, Paçarada – Sebulonsen, Jóhannesson, Martel, Maina – Thielmann, Kamiński – Waldschmidt.
1. FC Köln second-half (3-4-2-1): Zieler – Schmied, Krauß, Heintz – Gazibegović, Kainz, Huseinbašić, Tigges – Rondić, El Mala – Ache.
Leicester City (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk – Aluko, Coady, Vestergaard (Nelson 66‘), Justin – Skipp, Winks – McAteer (Joseph 86‘), Page (Fatawu 66‘), Monga (Thomas 75‘) – Ayew (Marcal-Madivadua 87‘).
Goals: 0:1, Sebulonsen 5‘. 0:2, Waldschmidt 17‘. 1:2, McAteer 43‘. 1:3, Kainz 87‘.
Booked: Ayew (45‘), Justin (45‘).